The iconic, lightweight, two-seater Seven sports car, which started life as a Lotus and later became a Caterham, is celebrating 60 years of production.

British sports car manufacturer Caterham has celebrated 60 years of its revered Seven, based on the Lotus Seven, by bringing together some of the most esteemed examples in its history.

The lightweight sports car was sold in kit and factory-built form by Lotus Cars from 1957 to 1972. When Lotus finished production of the Seven, Caterham bought the rights to the design. The modern Caterham Seven is based on the Series 3 Lotus Seven but development over the year means it shares no parts with the original Lotus.

For the 60th anniversary celebration, powering around the twists and turns of the Longcross test track in Surrey was the original Lotus Seven Series 1. Reaching a top speed of 78mph and featuring a Ford 100E engine and aluminium bodywork, the Series 1 was the ideal, lightweight sports car when it was launched by Colin Chapman in 1957.

Also present was one of only 13 Lotus Seven Twin Cams in existence, with its Twin Cam engine and lightning-sharp steering – and the CSR 260, renowned for being tuned by Formula One engine suppliers, Cosworth. At the time, it was the only Seven model to feature in-board front suspension and independent rear suspension, resulting in a 25% increase in torsional stiffness and a sublime ride quality.

The Caterham Seven 620S. Picture: Malcolm Griffiths/Caterham Cars

Possibly the most iconic car on show was a replica of the Seven ‘Prisoner Edition’ VVC, owned by former Caterham boss Simon Nearn. The real VVC starred in the opening sequence of the cult 1960s TV show, The Prisoner.

It wasn’t the only Seven in attendance with fine TV credentials, as the Superlight R500 set pulses racing, too. Piloted by tame racing driver The Stig in 2008, the absurdly fast Seven shot to fame after completing a lap of the Top Gear track in just one minute 17.9 seconds, embarrassing a plethora of supercars with far heftier price tags and winning Top Gear’s Car of the Year in the process.

Completing the line-up was the retro, swinging Sixties-inspired Sprint and the tarmac-chewing 620S – both from the current Seven range.

Graham Macdonald, chief executive of Caterham Cars, said: “What a great line-up, an apt number of Sevens, all of which have made their mark in Caterham’s history. It’s great to see how the Series 1 has been developed over the years – you don’t get a better accolade than becoming a Top Gear track icon.

A replica of the Seven ‘Prisoner Edition’ VVC which starred in the opening sequence of cult 1960s TV show, The Prisoner. Picture: Malcolm Griffiths/Caterham Cars

“Over the 60 years of the Seven, we’ve never lost Colin Chapman’s engineering essence – a lightweight, high-powered machine that is fit-for-purpose. Every Seven provides a raw, pure, fun driving experience like no other vehicle. Long may it continue for the next 60 years.”

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